Unwanted calls - what can you do? | Verbraucherzentrale Brandenburg

Is the provider allowed to call you at all? Can you withdraw your consent for advertising purposes? How do you block nuisance phone numbers?

These questions are asked by consumers who frequently receive unwanted calls. Our simple infographic shows you what your rights are and what you can do about the calls.

We’ll show you what you can do about unwanted calls with our interactive infographic.

Unfortunately, it is also possible to conclude effective contracts by telephone. So say "no" if someone wants to sell you a "particularly cheap" mobile phone contract, the "best" electricity contract or a "super-safe" sweepstake on the phone.

Attracting new customers is the goal of such promotional calls. Don't let yourself be pressured, it's best to just hang up!

Protect yourself from unwanted contracts: Don't give companies permission to call you for advertising purposes. If you have ticked on a contract that you may be called, you can cancel this consent at any time. To do so, you can use one template letter from the Consumer Advice Centre.

By the way, it is not enough if the caller asks for your consent at the beginning of the conversation.

Did you get an unwanted call? Write down all known information if possible: Date, phone number, name of the company and the caller, the product advertised during the call.

Then report it to the Federal Network Agency. You can do this via the online form of the Federal Network Agency or by e-mail. The Federal Network Agency can disconnect telephone numbers and impose fines if companies advertise illegally on the telephone.

You can manually block annoying phone numbers in your phone or have them blocked by your phone company. The provider can block individual numbers, but also entire ranges, for example, all numbers with a 0900-prefix.

Ask your phone provider for the details.

Not sure what data a caller has on you and why? The General Data Protection Regulation stipulates that you can request information about this. When doing so, a template letter from the Consumer Advice Centre can help you.

If the company has processed your data unlawfully, or if it no longer has a good reason to keep your data, you can ask the company to delete it. You can use this template letter from the Consumer Advice Centre to do so.

Did you fall into the trap of accepting an offer over the phone? You can normally cancel contracts concluded by telephone within 14 days! The best way to do this is by sending a written letter to the provider.

The most important tips on how to revoke a contract can be found here.

Attracting new customers is the goal of such promotional calls. Don't let yourself be pressured, it's best to just hang up!

Protect yourself from unwanted contracts: Don't give companies permission to call you for advertising purposes. If you have ticked on a contract that you may be called, you can cancel this consent at any time. To do so, you can use one template letter from the Consumer Advice Centre.

By the way, it is not enough if the caller asks for your consent at the beginning of the conversation.

Did you get an unwanted call? Write down all known information if possible: Date, phone number, name of the company and the caller, the product advertised during the call.

Then report it to the Federal Network Agency. You can do this via the online form of the Federal Network Agency or by e-mail to rufnummernmissbrauch@bnetza.de. The Federal Network Agency can disconnect telephone numbers and impose fines if companies advertise illegally on the telephone.

Ask your phone provider for the details.